Game apparatus



July 8, 1941. I. H. WILSEY GAME APPARATUS Filed July 13, 1939 Patented July 8, 1941 GAME APPARATUS lrven H. Wilsey, Chicago, Ill.

Application July 13, 1939, Serial No. 284,161

The invention relates generally to games, and more particularly to games of skill utilizing some form of target or the like, at which a suitable missile is directed.

The invention has as one of its most important objects the method of propelling a missile on a game board consisting in energizing the missile and then utilizing the kinetic energy so built up therein to propel the missill'e on the game board.

Another important object of the invention is the method of controlling the direction of a rotating missile on a game board consisting in varying the position of the axis of rotation of said missile relative the playing surface.

Another important object of the invention is the production of such a game in which the magnitude and direction of the energy in the missile is at all times subject to the control and skill of the player or operator.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a game which is provided with means by which the player or operator may judge or predetermine the magnitude of the energy built up in the missile, by means of which the ball may be controlled.

The invention has as another of its objects the production of a game utilizing a ball or sphere which is provided with actuating means for hold ing the sphere, rotating the same while it is being held, and then releasing the sphere, all oi these operations being under the control of the player or operator.

Another object of the invention is the production of a game utilizing a rapidly spinning sphere or other suitable missile in which the playing surface, upon which it travels has at least a portion thereof lying outside of a horizontal plane whereby the movement or" the missile is accented or exaggerated.

Another object of the invention is the construction of such a game in which the plane of rotation of the missile may be rotated about both laterally and transversely extending axes whereby the direction and spin or English on the ball may be controlled.

Another object of the invention is the production of such a device employing magnetic means for holding the missile while the latter isrotated and by means of which the same may be disengagcd from the rotating means.

Another object of the invention is the production of means for controlling the missile, which means is constructed to resemble a portion of a bowling ball and is provided with finger holes, the actuating switch being controlled from within said finger holes.

A further object of the invention is the construction of a device of the kind described utilizing an electric motor for rotating the missile in which the speed of rotation may be controlled by either or both the duration said motor is running and limiting the maximum speed of the motor, these factors being under the control of the player or operator.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consistsin the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a bowling game embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 4 with the actuating switch removed; 7

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, with a top plan View of the motor and mounting;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic View of the circuit details; and V Fig. 6 is a sectional view through the magnetic holding means and associated parts. I

I am aware that there have been many games utilizing a sphere or ball as the missile. However, all of these games have utilized a plunger or other similar means for striking the ball and thereby propel the same upon the playing surface. In such case, the propulsion of the ball is accomplished by external means striking the ball. In contrast to this is the present invention wherein the ball is picked up out of contact with the playing surface, rotated at a high rate of speed, after which the ball is again dropped upon the playing surface and upon frictionally engaging the latter, the ball'will be propelled by the kinetic energy built up therein by the prior rotation. It will be noted that in this case, the ball is propelled not by an external force, but by its own kinetic energy previously stored therein. It will likewise be noted that as the direction and speed of rotation of the ball are at all times under the control of the player, the ball is actually governed by the skill of the operator and the game is therefore a game of skill as distinguished from a game of chance. In the present case, obstructions are unnecessary as the variable quantity governing the direction and action of the ball might be said to reside therein and is determinedbefore the ball actually is propelled on the playing surface. Thus, it will be seen that the success or failure of the operator in the particular game, as for example, knocking down the ten pins in this case would be entirely within his own skill and control and not in any way due to particular hazards on the board.

Referring to Fig. 1, the game illustrated com prises a playing surface I bounded by side and end walls 2 and 3 which may be supported by suitable legs 4. As will hereinafter be described, the playing surface I may be provided with at least a portion 5 thereof lying outside a horizontal plane. The ten pins 6 or other targets are positioned at one end of the board, and the impelling mechanism designated generally by the numeral I I at the opposite end.

As shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 6 the impelling mechanism broadly includes an electric motor I2 and a magnet I3 for holding the ball during rotation. The motor I2 is mounted on an L- shaped bracket I4, the motor being secured to the bracket by means of studs extending from the motor and nuts, as shown at I5. The bracket I4 is rigidly carried by the shaft I6, the latter being journaled in the member II. The portion I8 of the member I! seats upon the base support I9 and is connected therewith by means of a suitable pin 2|. Thus, it will be noted that the motor I2 may be rotated in a substantially vertical plane about the axis of the shaft I6 and in a substantially horizontal plane about the axis of the pin 2|. The base support I9 is secured at one end to the bottom of the game board as shown at 22 and is secured at the opposite end to the side wall or to a suitable face plate 23 as shown by means of a bolt 24. Rigidly secured to the shaft I6 is an arcuate shaped control member 25 by means of which the position of the motor I2 may be adjusted. Obviously, if the member 25 is moved horizontally, the motor will pivot about the axis of the pin 2|, whereas if the member 25 is rotated about the axis of the shaft I5, the motor will likewise be rotated. The driving shaft 26 of the motor extends from the motor housing through the electromagnet or solenoid I3 and secured to the end of the shaft is a cup shaped member 21, which is in effect a chuck for holding the ball or sphere 28. As the shaft and member 21 are positioned in the field of the solenoid I3, the member 21 will readily hold a suitable missile therein. Obviously, the sphere 28 in this case must be at least partially constructed from a paramagnetic material, that is, a material capable of being attracted by the magnetic field.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 6, it will be noted that the axis of the shaft 26 intersects the axis of the shaft I6. correspondingly, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the axis of the shaft 26 intersects the axis of the pin 2| so that the three axes intersect one another at a common point. The ball or sphere 28 used in conjunction with the above device is positioned with its center at the same intersecting point of the axes when the ball is carried by the member 27, as shown in the drawing. The control member 25 as above mentioned is arcuate in shape and is designed to represent a portion of a bowling ball although of course, if desired, it could be made in any shape or design as, for example, a gun or the like, this depending on the particular type of game on which it is to be used.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the member 25 is provided with three finger holes 3|, 32, and 33 corresponding to the holes in a bowling ball. The hole 3?. is positioned below the hole 3|, while the hole 33 is positioned laterally on a line with the hole 3|. The hole 33 corresponds to the thumb hole on the bowling ball and is provided with a suitable lever 4 or its equivalent for operating a switch 35, the latter simultaneously controlling both the motor I2 and magnet I3. This switch is preferably of a quick acting type that will immediately break the circuit upon relaxation of pressure on the arm 34. If desired, the member may be provided with one or more reinforcing ribs The operation of the device is as follows:

The ball by gravity or other means will normally rest upon the surface of the board I adjacent the chuck member 21. When pressure is placed upon the lever 34 actuating the switch 35 and closing the circuit, current will flow through the magnet, and the member 21 acting as part of the core of the solenoid will readily attract and draw the ball into the position shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 6 of the drawing, raising the ball a fraction of an inch off of the surface of the playing board. Simultaneously the motor I2 will rotate the shaft 26 and member 2'! and with it the ball. This continues as long as pressure is exerted upon the lever 34. The motor during all this time may be rotated about the shaft I6 or the pin 2| by operating the control member 25. When the lever 35 is released, the switch 35 will break the current in the solenoid which will allow the sphere or ball to drop to the surface of the playing board I. As soon as the ball strikes the surface of the playing board, it will frictionally engage the same and the kinetic energy of rotation stored in the ball will cause the same to be propelled along the board. Obviously, to propel the ball in the correct direction, the shaft and ball as shown in Fig. 3 would have to be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction.

The switch 35 shown in Fig. 4 is adapted merely to make and break the circuit so that the speed of rotation of the ball would depend upon the length of time the motor was allowed to run. In other words, if it were desired to impart relatively rapid rotation to the ball, the operator would press the lever 34. down closing the circuit and holding it in such position until the motor had reached a high rate of revolution while if it was desired to rotate the ball at a relatively slow rate of rotation, the circuit would be closed by the operator for only a brief period of time, the circuit being broken before the motor has reached its maximum speed. However, if desired, the switch 35 and lever 34 may be so designed that a variable resistance element 38 may be incorporated therewith, a diagrammatic view of such a construction being shown in Fig. 5. In this case, the lever 34 could be coupled to a movable contact 3'! engaging the resistance element 36. Contacts 38 and 39 form the equivalent of the switch 35 and are so constructed that they will remain closed while the lever 34 is moved to the on position which in Fig. 5 would be to the left, thus closing the contacts 38 and 39. Continued movement of the lever would cut out a part of the resistance element 36 which is shown in series with the motor circuit and consequently would allow the motor to rotate at a higher rate of speed. However, at any time as soon as pressure on the arm 34 is re laxed, the contacts 38 and 39 will break, opening the circuit and allowing the ball to drop onto the playing surface. Operation of the device with the switch 35 is substantially the same with the exception that the resistance element 36 is eliminated, the circuit being completed in such a case as shown in dotted lines 4 I.

The game is played as follows:

The ten pins 6 or other target is set up at the end of the board and the lever 34 or 34 as the case may be is manipulated to close the circuit, thereby drawing the ball off the playing surface and rotating it as previously described, the control member 25 being rotated about the shaft IE or the pin 2i as desired by the operator and when the ball has been rotated at the desired speed, the switch lever 3d or 34 is released, thereby allowing the ball to drop to the surface of the playing board where it will frictionally engage the same and be propelled over the board by the kinetic energy that was stored in the same. It will be noted that by pivoting the motor about the pin E9, the lateral direction of the ball on the playing board may be varied. Likewise, by rotating the control member 25 about the shaft IS, the ball may be rotated in a plane nonperpendicular to the playing surface. This will result in putting spin or English on the ball so that it will be propelled with a tendency to curve to the right or left. This spin or English may be accented or exaggerated by the uneven portion 5 of the board if provided, as the ball will have a tendency to roll down the sloping portion of the incline and if the spin tends to curve the ball in a direction to roll it down the incline, obviously, the ball will curve down the incline at a greater rate than it would on a level surface. Likewise, it will be noted that the direction of the ball may be controlled merely by increasing or decreasing the amount of energy in the hall. For example, assuming the axis of rotation to be stationary, the tendency of the ball to travel laterally down the inclined portion and thereby change the direction of the ball will depend on the rate of speed of rotation. If the ball is spinning at a relatively low rate, it will travel farther down the inclined portion of the playing surface than it would if spun at a higher rate. Thus, the direction of flight of the ball may be changed merely by varying the amount of kinetic energy in the ball. It might be mentioned that instead of the portion 5, other means could be provided that would produce the same result. To enable the operator to determine the rate of speed of the ball, the motor shaft at the opposite end of the housing may carry a tubular cylinder 42. The periphery of this cylinder contains a plurality of small holes G3 and directly below the holes is a small neon bulb 4 3 or the like. When thus bulb is connected directly into the alternating current line and as the motor l2 may have a maximum speed of 12,000 to 16,090 R. P. M. or higher, the synchronizing of the cylinder 62 with the alternating current will cause the neon light to appear to flash on and off, the frequency of these flashes being determined by the speed of the cylinder. This provides a relative calibration of the speed of the motor. However, if desired, a suitable magnetic vane or other type of indicator could be lased The propelling mechanism is separated from the remainder of the board by a wall 45, there being a channel left for the passage of the ball and a suitable cover 66 conceals the mechanism, said cover having an opening t! in the same through which the cylinder 42 is visible.

It will be seen from the above description that I have provided a game embodying a novel method of propelling and controlling a missile which utilizes kinetic energy previously stored therein for its motive power.

Likewise, I have provided novel means for holding and rotating and directing the missile, as well as means for determining the relative speed of rotation.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the kind described the combination of a supporting base, a bracket pivotally carried by said base, a second bracket pivotally connected to the first bracket, a motor unit having a driving shaft extending therefrom mounted on said second bracket, a chuck member carried by said shaft and rotatable therewith, and magnetic means for releasably holding a suitable missile in engagem nt with said chuck member during rotation of the latter.

2. In a game, the combination of a playing board, a missile adapted to move on said board, and means for rotating said missile adjacent said board at a relatively high rate of speed on an axis non-perpendicular to the board to store energy therein, means for releasably supporting the missile during the rotation thereof and thereafter depositing the same on the board, whereby the stored kinetic energy may be utilized to propel said missile.

3. In a game, the combination of a playing board, a missile adapted to move on said board, and motor driven means for holding and rotating said missile above said board on an axis nonperpendicular thereto at a relatively high rate of speed to store kinetic energy therein, said last mentioned means being movable relative the playing board to vary the position of the axis of rotation of said missile with relation to said board,

and thereby vary the direction of travel of said missile upon said board when released by said holding and rotating means.

4. In a game provided with a game board and with means for storing kinetic energy in a missile, a member for controlling the action of the missile on the game board, said. member being arcuate in shape and movable in at least one direction relative said board, said member having a plu rality of finger holes therein by means of which the member may be gripped in use, and further 1 missile controlling means positioned in one of said finger holes.

5. In a game, the combination of a playing board, a missile adapted to move on said board, means for rotating said missile at a relatively h gh rate of speed to move said missile on said board in a direction away from said means, and further moans operatively connected with said last-mentioned means for controlling the approximate rate of rotation of said missile.

6. In a device of the kind described the combination of a supporting base, a bracket pivot-ally carried by said base, a second bracket pivotally connected to the first bracket, a motor unit hav ing a driving shaft extending therefrom mounted on said second bracket, means on the end of said shaft for releasably holding a suitable missile, whereby said missile is rotatable with said shaft while engaged with said holding means.

7. In a device of the kind described the combination of a supporting base, a bracket pivotally carried by said base, a second bracket pivot-ally connected to the first bracket, said brackets being rotatable on axes extending in different direc tions, means carried by said second bracket for releasably holding a suitable missile, and further means for rotating said missile on a non-perpendicular axis while engaged with said holding means and storing kinetic energy therein operative to propel and roll the missile on the board when disengaged from the holding means.

8. In a device of the kind described the combination of a supporting base, a bracket pivotally carried by said base, a second bracket pivotally connected to the first bracket, the axes of rotation of the respective parts intersecting one another, means carried by said second bracket for releasably holding a suitable missile, and further means for rotating said missile on a non-perpendicular axis while engaged with said holding means, the axis of rotation passing through the point of intersection of the above-mentioned axes, and means for controlling the releasing of the missile by the holding means.

9. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a game board, a base member, a bracket. pivotally carried by said base member about a vertical axis, a horizontally extending shaft journaled in said bracket, a second bracket rigidly secured to said shaft and rotatable therewith, a control member rigidly secured to said shaft adjacent one end thereof for positioning the latter, a motor having a driving shaft extending therefrom, carried by said second bracket, a chuck member carried by said shaft and rotatable therewith, a solenoid carried by said second bracket, and a missile, at least partially of a material capable of being magnetically attracted, said solenoid operative to set up a magnetic field adjacent said chuck member whereby said missile is attracted to and held in said chuck member, and means for breaking the solenoid controlling circuit to release the missile whereby the same upon engaging the board and securing traction thereon is propelled to roll over the board by the stored kinetic energy in the missile.

10. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a game board having a base member, a bracket pivotally carried by said base member about a vertical axis, a horizontally extending shaft journaled in said bracket, a second bracket rigidly secured to said shaft and rotatable therewith, the axis of said shaft intersecting said vertical axis, a control member rigidly secured to said shaft adjacent one end thereof for positioning the latter, a motor having a driving shaft extending therefrom, carried by said second bracket, the axis of said driving shaft passing through the point of intersection of the above-mentioned axes, a chuck member carried by said shaft and rotatable therewith on a non-perpendicular axis, a solenoid carried by said second bracket, and a ball at least partially of a material capable of being magnetically attracted, said solenoid operative to set up a magnetic field adjacent said chuck member whereby said ball is attracted to and held in said chuck member out of contact with the board, with the center of said ball falling on the point of intersection of said axes, means for controlling the solenoid to release the ball and deposit it on the board with its axis of rotation non-perpendicular to the board.

11. In a game propelling device of the kind described for game boards and in combination, a missile movable over the board face, means for releasably supporting the missile out of contact with the board face, means for rotating said missile at a relatively high rate of speed to store kinetic energy therein with its axis of rotation non-perpendicular relative the board face, means for controlling said supporting means to release the missile when energized to the desired extent, whereby the missile is deposited on the board face and upon acquiring traction on the face of the board the kinetic energy stored in the missile causes it to roll on the board with its rate of travel increasing as it rolls away from the said supporting means.

12. In a game, the combination of a playing board, a missile adapted to roll on said board, and motor driven means for rotating said missile on an axis non-perpendicular to the board at a relatively high rate of speed, said last mentioned means being movable relative to the playing board to vary the position of the axis of rotation of said missile with relation to said board, and whereby the direction of movement of said missile upon said board may be varied.

13. In a game device of the kind described and in combination, a missile and a game board provided with means for rotating and storing energy in the missile and depositing it on the board, a controlling member for said means, comprising a member arcuate in shape and movable in at least one direction relative to said board, said member having a plurality of finger holes therein by means of which the member may be gripped in use, and further controlling means positioned in one of said finger holes operatively to control the said means for said rotating and depositing the missile.

14. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a game board, a base member mounted thereon, a bracket pivotally carried by said base member about a vertical axis, a horizontally extending shaft journaled in said bracket, a second bracket rigidly secured to said shaft and rotatable therewith, the axis of said shaft intersecting said vertical axis, a control member rigidly secured to said shaft adjacent one end thereof for positioning the latter, a motor having a driving shaft extending therefrom, carried by said second bracket, the axis of said driving shaft passing through the point of intersection of the above-mentioned axes, a chuck member carried by said shaft and rotatable therewith, a solenoid carried by said second bracket, and a ball at least partially of a material capable of being magnetically attracted, said solenoid operative to set up a magnetic field adjacent said chuck member whereby said ball is attracted to and held in said chuck member, with the center of said ball disposed on the point of intersection of said axes, and means for controlling the operation of said motor and solenoid.

15. In a game device of the kind described and in combination, a playing board provided with a playing face, a missile movable over the board face, means for releasably supporting the missile out of contact with the board face, means for rotating said missile at a relatively high rate of speed to store kinetic energy therein with its axis of rotation non-perpendicular relative the board face, means for controlling said supporting means to release the missile when energized to the desired extent, whereby the missile is deposited on the board face and the kinetic energy stored in the missile causes it to propel itself upon acquiring traction on the face of the board.

LRVEN H. WILSEY. 

